Portable windbreaker



March 25, 1969 E. H. TOPHAM PORTABLE WINDBREAKER Filed June 19, 1967 United States Patent Cifice 3,434,483 Patented Mar. 25, 1969 3,434,483 PORTABLE WINDBREAKER Elgin H. Topham, 3717 N. 19th St., Milwaukee, Wis. 53206 Filed June 19, 1967, Ser. No. 646,829 Int. Cl. E04h 9/00 U.S. Cl. 135-5 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a portable Windbreaker, and more particularly to a Windbreaker which can be used by hunters and the like for protection against the elements.

In accordance with the invention, the Windbreaker is provided with a frame which is foldable at a plurality of joints, whereby the device can be easily carried and stored. An awning support may be utilized, as well as improved means for assisting driving the Windbreaker into the ground.

The accompanying drawing illustrates the best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective front view of a portable Windbreaker constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevation thereof with parts removed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hinge and locking structure for the cross-rod;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the corner hinge structure; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the protective cover, laid out fiat.

As shown in the drawing, the Windbreaker embodies a suporting frame and covering therefore.

The supporting frame may be made of any suitable material, such as tubular metal, plastic, wood or the like; and comprises an elongated upper cross-rod 1 which is jointed and hinged approximately midway between its ends for folding the rod end portions together. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the hinge comprises a pair of elongated hinge plates 2 which are pivotally secured at one end as by a cotter pin 3 and cotter 4. Plates 2 are secured to the respective central ends of rod 1, and permit folding of the rod. Releasable locking means to secure rod 1 in open unfolded position are provided. For this purpose, a pair of openings 5 are disposed in the other ends of plates 2 and are aligned in rod-open position to receive a second cotter pin 6 with suitable cotter 7.

A pair of front and rear legs, 8 and 9 respectively, are disposed to support rod 1 parallel to and above the ground. For this purpose, a lug 10 extends outwardly from rod 1 and is pivotally secured to a matching lug 11 extending from the upper end of each rear leg 9, and in the plane of rod 1, as by a rivet 12. A second lug 13 is disposed approximately 90 from lug 11 and extends forwardly from leg 9 and is pivotally secured, as by a rivet 14 to a matching lug 15 extending rearwardly from the upper end of front leg 8. These pivotal connections permit folding pivoting action of each pair of adjacent legs 8 and 9 relative to each other transversely of rod 1, and jointly in the plane of rod 1.

Legs 8 and 9 are thus pivotable from a generally parallel position to the open stanced position shown in FIG- URE 1 when the Windbreaker is set-up for use. If desired, a pair of releasable centrally hinged braces 16 and 17 may be used to stabilize the Windbreaker in open position. For this purpose, the ends of brace 16 are pivoted at 18 on rod 1 and 19 on left rear leg 9. Similarly, the ends of brace 17 are pivoted at 20 on rod 1 and 21 on right rear leg 9.

For purposes of anchoring the Windbreaker in the ground, the lower ends of legs 8 and 9 terminate in terminate in spike-like projections 22. Generally horizontal tabs 23 are disposed on the legs, preferably just above projections 22, and may be engaged by a hammer or other instrument for driving projections 22 into the ground.

In accordance with the invention, a weatherproof cover is provided for the frame to protect the user against the elements. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 24 comprises a flexible sheet of canvas or other suitable wind and rain resistant material, which may be secured to rod 1 and legs 8 and 9 by providing channels in the sheet which can be slipped over the rod and legs. Other suitable securement means may be used.

Cover 24 extends downwardly from cross-rod 1 between rear legs 9, and also wraps around to close the space between pairs of legs 8 and 9. The front-is left open. In addition, cover 24 provides a forwardly extending overhanging extension or awning 25 which fits over short support bars 26 disposed at the ends of rod 1. Bars 26 are pivoted at one end in a suitable clevis 27 which extends rearwardly from the upper end of legs 9. These bars 26 can thus be pivoted rearwardly and downwardly into parallelism with legs 9, or can be pivoted upwardly and forwardly into a generally horizontal position resting on legs 8 and/ or 9, to properly position awning 25 for protection purposes.

FIG. 5 shows cover 24 in its flat laid-out position.

The invention provides a portable Windbreaker of substantial utility, which can be easily folded for transporting and unfolded for use. In its folded position, the Windbreaker is compact, with all of the frame elements being coextensive.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

Iclaim:

1. A portable Windbreaker comprising:

(a) an elongated cross-rod,

(b) a pair of rear legs and a pair of front legs for supporting said cross-rod parallel to and above the ground,

(c) means pivotally mounting the upper ends of said legs to the ends of said cross-rod for movement of the legs transversely of the rod,

(d) means pivotally mounting the upper ends of each adjacent pair of front and rear legs for folding movement thereof in the plane of said rod,

#(e) and lockable releasable hinge means midway betwen the ends of said rod for folding the rod end portions together, said hinge means comprising:

(1) a pair of elongated hinge plates pivotally secured together at one end with each plate being secured to an opposed central end portion of said cross-rod,

(2) and releasable locking means disposed at the other end of said plates to secure said cross-rod in open unfolded position.

2. The Windbreaker of claim 1 which includes: a weatherproof cover secured to said cross-rod and extending downwardly between said rear legs and between each pair of front and rear legs with the space between said front legs left open.

3. The Windbreaker of claim 2 which includes an awning extending forwardly from said cross-rod, said awning comprising: an extension of said weatherproof cover, and support means for said extension and pivotally mounted to the upper ends of said rear legs, said support means having a forward pivoted generally horizontal position engaging the upper ends of at least several of said legs.

4. A portable Windbreaker comprising:

(a) an elongated cross-rod,

(b) a pair of rear legs and a pair of front legs for supporting said cross-rod parallel to and above the ground,

(c) means pivotally mounting the upper ends of said legs to the ends of said cross-rod for movement of the legs transversely of the rod,

(d) means pivotally mounting the upper ends of each adjacent pair of front and rear legs for folding movement thereof in the plane of said rod,

(e) lockable releasable hinge means midway between 2 the ends of said rod for folding the rod end portions together,

'(f) spike-like projections on the lower ends of said legs,

-(g) tabs disposed on said legs upwardly of said projections for engagement by an instrument to drive the projections into the ground,

(h) brace means extending between said rod and at least one of said legs,

'(i) a weatherproof cover secured to said cross-rod and extending downwardly between said rear legs and between each pair of front and rear legs with the space between said front legs left open,

'(j) and an awning extending forwardly from said cross-rod, said awning comprising: an extension of said weatherproof cover, and support means for said extension and pivotally mounted to the upper ends of said rear legs,

(k) said support means having a forward pivoted generally horizontal position engaging the upper ends of at least several of said legs.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,290,786 7/ 1942 Varady l357.l XR 2,334,435 11/ 1943 Patterson et a1 1344 2,889,838 6/1959 Aviezer et a1. l354 KENNETH DOW-NEY, Primary Examiner. 

